I was in love in 6th grade. She had just moved in, one street away. Her across-the-street neighbor shared a fence line with my across-the-street neighbor. That summer I spent A LOT of time at the fence. I just wanted to be close to her. Proximity matters. (In case you're wondering, it took a long time, but I outgrew my 6th grade crush.)
We were newlyweds. I loved sleeping next to my wife. I always wanted to snuggle close. She got too hot, so I would find another way. My toes might touch her calves, or my hand might lay against her shoulder blade. This was the woman I would spend forever with, and I wanted to be close. Still do. Proximity matters.
She was in the ICU. 84 years wasn't long enough. I was only allowed in her room a few minutes a day. But when the last day came, my three brothers and I all surrounded our mother's bed. While we waited for her to take her final breath, we all wanted to touch her, read scripture to her, sing over her. Proximity matters.
You probably know the story about the woman in Mark 5, desperate for healing. "If I can just touch his robe..." She did. He healed. Proximity matters.
You likely know the metaphor the apostle Paul used to describe the church in 1 Corinthians 12. Feet can't be mad that they aren't hands and just leave the body. Same with eyes and ears. We're in this thing together. Proximity matters.
I often hear people say they want to get "closer to God." They know proximity matters. But they seem to have forgotten how to get to the "fence line" with their Savior, snuggle up next to their Father, reach out and touch the Spirit. But we have a really clear guideline from James, the half-brother of Jesus. It's in James 4:8. "Come close to God, and God will come close to you." Proximity matters.
Is it really that simple though?
Well, pretty much, yes. There might be some things our great God will want us to do so we can stay close, primarily humbling ourselves. But it really is that simple. Just choose. Proximity matters.
So this Sunday, when you go to worship alongside the rest of the body at your church, remember that proximity matters. Touch shoulders as you sit or stand close enough together to hear each other sing. Proximity matters. And when the invitation is given to listen, to pray, to sing, to take communion... draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Proximity matters.
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